Northern Ireland Office: Bonuses

Lord Laird: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the payment of bonuses to certain officials of the Northern Ireland Office was approved by the relevant trade unions.

Baroness Royall of Blaisdon: The relevant trade unions have been consulted about the schemes under which bonuses are paid to officials of the Northern Ireland Office, during pay negotiations. Trade unions have no role in the approval process for the payment of bonuses to individual officials.